NO SWEAT

Mmmm, mealie and blood ticks

Worlds Apart National Geographic Channel, Mondays, 9 p.m.

National Geographic jumps onto the reality series bandwagon by sending comfort-loving Americans to remote areas of the world, from Malaysia (Nov. 3) to Kenya (Nov. 10). For example, the Russell family from Birmingham, Ala., got a taste of life as subsistence farmers in the remote village of Lungu, Ghana.

We watch as the Russells unravel and regroup in a moving display of sweaty honesty and innocent American goodwill. Although marred by hyperactive editing and an appalling, chauvinistic score, "Worlds Apart" delivers enough unvarnished, heartfelt moments to make it a standout reality series in an otherwise tawdry field.